New Review! The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur, 5 Cranky Stars

Synopsis:
As a college freshman, Erik Fiskare is drawn to the world of theater but prefers backstage to center stage. The moment he lays eyes on a beautiful, accomplished dancer named Daisy Bianco, his atoms rearrange themselves and he is drawn into a romance both youthfully passionate and maturely soulful. Their love story thrives within a tight-knit circle of friends, all bound by creativity and artistry. A newcomer arrives--a brilliant but erratic dancer with an unquenchable thirst for connection. And when this disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, the story is forever changed. Daisy is shot and left seriously injured. And Erik finds himself alone in the aisle, looking down the muzzle of a pistol and trying to stop the madness.

He succeeds, but with tremendous repercussions to his well-being and that of his loved ones.Traumatized by the experience, Erik and Daisy spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, Erik must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes.As he moves into adulthood, Erik comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for Daisy continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a Gershwin song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving.

Spanning fifteen years, The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma--physical and mental--and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through Erik's experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.

This book raised so many questions for me. What would you do when faced with a life or death situation? How would you react? Would you face down a killer to save your true love? Could you survive the aftermath?

Eric and Daisy meet in the theater department at Lancaster University. Their love and attraction is instant and soul deep. One of my favorite lines in the whole book was "I love us!"

This is a long story and its not all hearts and flowers. I truly believe its a story that needed to be told. So, sit back, relax and hunker down for an amazingly good heartfelt and heartbreaking read. 

I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.